Lesson 7: I Know in Whom I Have Trusted

There are four men mentioned in 2Nephi 3 who have the same name. Look for these four men in 2Nephi 3:115.

Joseph, last-born son of Lehi and Sariah (2Nephi 3:13)

Joseph of Egypt (2Nephi 3:45)

Joseph Smith Jr. (2Nephi 3:615)

Joseph Smith Sr. (2Nephi 3:15)

PurposeTo help us strengthen our testimonies of the Prophet Joseph Smith and to encourage us to find happiness through trusting in the Lord and keeping His commandments.

1. Lehi teaches that his descendants will be blessed through the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.Lehi taught his son Joseph about a prophecy made by Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel who was carried captive into Egypt (2Nephi 3:4; see also Genesis 30:2224; 37:13, 2328). Why were the covenants that Joseph of Egypt made with the Lord important to Lehis family? (See 2Nephi 3:45; Jacob 2:25; see also Genesis 45:7.)Who was the choice seer whom Joseph of Egypt saw in vision? (See 2Nephi 3:615. The Prophet Joseph Smith.) How did Joseph Smith bring forth [the Lords] word? (See 2Nephi 3:11 and the quotation below.) How have you been blessed because of the word of God brought forth by Joseph Smith? Elder LeGrand Richards said: The Prophet Joseph Smith brought us the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and many other writings. As far as our records show, he has given us more revealed truth than any prophet who has ever lived upon the face of the earth (in Conference Report, Apr. 1981, 43; or Ensign, May 1981, 33).

The Lord told Joseph of Egypt about the Bible, which would contain words written by descendants of Judah, and the Book of Mormon, which would contain words written by descendants of Joseph (2Nephi 3:12). How have the Bible and the Book of Mormon grow[n] together? What blessings did the Lord say would come because the Bible and the Book of Mormon would grow together? (See 2Nephi 3:12.)The Lord promised that a righteous branch of the descendants of Joseph of Egypt would be broken off but would be remembered in the covenants of the Lord (2Nephi 3:5). What are the roles of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon in the fulfillment of these covenants? (See 2Nephi 3:1213, 1821; 30:36.) How is this promise being fulfilled today? How does the Book of Mormon help you remember and keep your covenants with the Lord?What connects Joseph of Egypt, Lehis son Joseph, and Joseph Smith, in addition to their name? (See 2Nephi 3:47, 1112, 1821. Answers may include lineage, covenants, and the Book of Mormon.)

Psalm of Nephi 2 Nephi 4:15-35

Nephi said, My soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth [them] continually (2Nephi 4:16). What specific things did Nephi delight in? (See 2Nephi 4:1516.) What does it mean to ponder? What can we do to make time to ponder the things of the Lord? How can pondering the things of the Lord help us?What words would you use to describe Nephi? righteous, obedient, and humbleWhy would Nephi say that he was a wretched man whose soul grieveth because of [his] iniquities? (See 2Nephi 4:17, 27; see also 1Nephi 10:6.)

President Ezra Taft Benson Why is it important to recognize our fallen nature before God?Just as a man does not really desire food until he is hungry, so he does not desire the salvation of Christ until he knows why he needs Christ. No one adequately and properly knows why he needs Christ until he understands and accepts the doctrine of the Fall and its effect upon all mankind (in Conference Report, Apr. 1987, 106; or Ensign, May 1987, 85).

How did Nephi find hope despite feeling encompassed about by temptation and sin? (See 2Nephi 4:1819.) How had the Lord helped Nephi in the past? (2Nephi 4:2025)The Lord had:a. Been Nephis support (2Nephi 4:20).b. Led Nephi through afflictions in the wilderness (2Nephi 4:20).c. Filled him with His love (2Nephi 4:21).d. Confounded his enemies (2Nephi 4:22).e. Heard his cry (2Nephi 4:23).f. Given him knowledge by visions (2Nephi 4:23).

When have you received similar blessings from the Lord? How can remembering blessings you have received in the past help you through difficult times?Nephi asked himself why he yielded to sorrow and sin in spite of the things that he had seen and the things that he knew (2Nephi 4:2627). Why do we sometimes struggle with sorrow and temptation despite our knowledge of the gospel? What can Nephis psalm teach us about overcoming sorrow and temptation? (See 2Nephi 4:2830.)In the first part of his psalm, Nephis words were directed toward himself (2Nephi 4:1530). The conclusion of the psalm was a prayer (2Nephi 4:3035).

What did Nephi ask of Heavenly Father in this prayer? (See 2Nephi 4:3133.)How does the Lord deliver [us] out of the hands of [our] enemies? (See 2Nephi 4:31, 33.) What does it mean to shake at the appearance of sin? (See 2Nephi 4:31; Mosiah 5:2; Alma 13:12.What do you think it means to walk in the path of the low valley and be strict in the plain road? (2Nephi 4:32).What do you think it means for the Lord to encircle [us] around in the robe of [His] righteousness? (2Nephi 4:33).

In his prayer, what did Nephi promise to do? (See 2Nephi 4:30, 3435.) He promised to trust God and praise Him forever.What did Nephi mean when he said, I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh? (2Nephi 4:34; 28:31.) What are some ways that people trust in the arm of flesh? What are the dangers of this? What can we do to increase our trust in the Lord?

3. The anger of Laman and Lemuel increases against Nephi, and the Lord commands the followers of Nephi to separate from the followers of LamanWhy were Laman and Lemuel angry toward Nephi? (See 2Nephi 4:13; 5:3.) What did Laman and Lemuel seek to do as a result of their increasing anger? (2Nephi 5:2, 4. Compare their anger with Nephis efforts to control his anger, as recorded in 2Nephi 4:2729.) What are some dangers of increasing anger? What can we do to be peacemakers in the home, the community, and the Church?

President HowardW. HunterWe need a more peaceful world, growing out of more peaceful families and neighborhoods and communities. To secure and cultivate such peace, we must love others, even our enemies as well as our friends. We need to extend the hand of friendship. We need to be kinder, more gentle, more forgiving, and slower to anger. We need to love one another with the pure love of Christ. May this be our course and our desire (in Conference Report, Apr. 1992, 87; or Ensign, May 1992, 63).

Read President Monsons talk on Anger.School Thy Feelings, Oh My Brother (October 2009)

Because of the anger of his brothers, Nephi prayed for help (2Nephi 5:1). How did the Lord answer his prayers? (See 2Nephi 5:5.)When Nephi and his people had departed, they lived after the manner of happiness (2Nephi 5:27). What did they do that contributed to their happiness? (See 2Nephi 5:1017. They kept the commandments, preserved the records that were on the plates of brass, built a temple, and worked together.How can the Nephites example help us as we strive to live after the manner of happiness?